St. Paul's Anglican Church celebrates its 150th

Religion

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Southampton's 'grande dame' Jane Kramer, toured Bishop Robert (Bob) Bennett and Reverend Margaret Greenhow throughout the town in her vintage automobile. Jane toured Margaret and Bob from Southampton to the church in Port Elgin to show the bishop the recent renovations that have been completed
 

 Reverend Margaret Greenhow gives a reading
 

 The Right Reverend Bishop Robert Bennett presided over a celebratory confirmation

The Anglican Parish of Saugeen Shores” includes congregations at St. Paul’s Southampton and St. John’s, Port Elgin celebrated its 150th anniversary at St. Paul’s on Sunday.

The building, started in 1887, was copied from those in the British Isles. The original structure was destroyed by fire in the Great Fire of Southampton in 1886.

The building is an eclectic combination of styles - the bell tower is Norman; the nave is neo-Gothic and the windows are neo-Gothic.

The following is an excerpt from the history of the building :

"The interior has a traditional historical floor plan. The nave and Sanctuary are separated by three steps. Two lead to the choir area and ne to the Sanctuary itself. The Pulpit from 1908 is surrounded by a chancel fence that contains a lectern installed in 1935. The communion rail is made of ash and cherry. The North and South windows were donated in 1916 and the others date from 1955. The Narthex is contained in the bell tower that holds the bell that was installed in 1907 ... the bell is inscribed with the words .... "Come and Worship".

As part of the anniversary celebration, the Right Reverend Bishop Robert Bennett of Huron County presided over the confirmation of several teenagers. Bishop Bennett, who was born and raised in London, has close ties to Bruce County. He was rector for the parishes of Chesley, Paisley and Tara during the time that he and his wife, Kathy, had their daughter Jessie. Now, as a father and grandfather, he recently baptized his granddaughter, Natalie Kathleen.

In a lighthearted sermon, Bishop Bennett drew from his own experiences as a teenager growing up in London to appeal to those teens being confirmed. "This is a big responsibility," he said. "As a teen, to take this step is to take accountability for yourself."

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29/09/2009 05:46 PM

 St. Pauls Anglican Church in Southampton officially celebrated its 150th anniversary Sunday, September 27th

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